Over the past week, our Cougars have continued their hot play, showing themselves strong in the Tucson Invitational Games in Tucson, Arizona.
Having only a short time to prepare for conference play, which begins March 22 nd, we needed positive energy and momentum coming out of Arizona. Positive energy and momentum was achieved, as we ended the seven-game road trip with a 6-1 record. Game 1 of March 11 th was against the Redhawks of Benedictine University at Mesa. The Cougars got off to a slow start on the road, trailing the Redhawks (5-18) by a score of 0-4 after two innings of play.
By the fourth inning, though, the bats had awakened, as our ladies scored five runs in the fourth and four runs in the seventh inning. Even though we were not so good on the mound during the outing, we were able to come away with a 13-10 win in a high scoring game. Juniors Amanda Ruskowsky and Taylor Sterkowitz blessed us with excellent outings at the plate. Ruskowsky went 3-4, driving in four runs and scoring three runs herself. Strekowitz went 3-5, driving in three runs and scoring two. Game 2 was won much comfortably, as our Cougars beat Northwestern College by a score of 10-4.
Junior pitcher Allison Golic took care of business on the mound, as she only allowed two earned runs, while striking out nine batters in the complete game effort. Scoring eight runs in the first three innings, our ladies jumped out to an 8-0 lead. At the top of the order, freshman Lyda Robinson and junior Lexxie Lux set the tone at the plate. Robinson went 3-4, scored three runs, and also drew a walk. Lux went 4-5, drove in three runs, and also scored three.
Game 1 of March 14th was won showing our pitching and defensive prowess over Graceland University. On a few days rest, Golic once again showed herself strong on the mound. Striking out 10 of 26 batters, Golic did not give up a single earned run in another complete game. Our Cougars won the game by a score of 3-1. Later that day, our Cougars faced off against Viterbo University. Once again, at the top of the order, Robinson and Lux were able to find ways to set the tone, get on base and score runs.
Both earned two hits an two runs.
Senior outfielder Frankie Demack also had a big performance, going 2-4 from the plate, driving in a run, and scoring two herself. Junior pitcher Annalisse Scott pitched a complete game and earned the win, striking out five batters and giving up zero earned runs. We were able to overcome a few errors by the defense, as our Cougars won a score of 8-4. Game 1 on March 15 th was against Mayville State University. Our Cougars struggled at the plate for the most part, but had an explosion in the fourth inning.
All six of our runs would be scored in the inning, as our ladies batted around (all nine batters came to the plate). Sterkowitz and Demack both drove in two runs in the innings, as the six runs were more than enough to win the game by a score of 6-4. Scott earned the save, while Golic earned the win. This particular win had given us a 10-0 start to the season. The second game of the day was in against the Defenders of Dordt College. In a low scoring game for our team, we carried a 3-2 lead into the final inning.
Three runs were given up in the final frame as our ladies fell by a score of 5-3. Lux, Sterkowitz and Ruskowsky all drove in a run each, and Lux came around to score twice. During the final game on the trip, our lady Cougars faced off against the Saints of Aquinas College. Trailing going into the 5th inning, we scored three runs, highlighted by an RBI triple by Ruskowsky.
These would be the final runs of the game, as we won by a score of 4-3. Ruskowsky also saved the game, striking out 3 batters in the final inning. The Cougars will go into conference play with an 11-1 record, starting off the year basically as strong as we could have asked for. The season ahead is looking really bright for our ladies, as a lot will be expected of them.
We have improved each year under Coach Mollohan-Corrao, who has done an excellent job with our team. Let’s come out and support. Our first home conference game will be on Saturday, March 23 rd at noon, against the Trolls of Trinity Christian College.
Dallas Haywood
Sports Reporter